If someone had told me before the 2021–2022 NBA season that the Denver Nuggets would win 48 games and attain the 6th seed in the Western Conference with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr playing only nine combined games, I would have been in disbelief. Michael Malone and his staff deserve an immense amount of credit for getting this team to buy in and compete every night. The same goes for Nikola Jokic, who had a better season than the last, likely winning a back-to-back MVP award in the process. He simply carried this team from Game 1 to Game 82. This season may have been a lost year as far as team goals are concerned, but there were some important developments along the way.
Positive Takeaways From Rest of the Roster
First, Aaron Gordon and Monte Morris both displayed consistency for a large part of the year as players Nikola Jokic could rely upon. Gordon and Jokic developed a promising synergy as a two-man combination, which can hopefully carry over into next season. Gordon was unfairly tasked with defending the opposing team's best player every night, ranging from Point Guards to even some Centers. For the most part, he did a phenomenal job, while some assignments proved to be an unrealistic ask.
Monte Morris, as he usually is, displayed a steady presence as the team’s point guard. He improved his scoring output, while also establishing a great rapport with Jokic late in close games. Will Barton started off the season on a tear. Unfortunately, the large minute's load derailed a promising start, as he struggled on the defensive end of the floor for the rest of the season. Barton becoming the 3 point leader in Nuggets franchise history is a huge accomplishment though.
Finally, Bones Hyland had an extremely exciting rookie season. As a 26th pick in the draft, he exceeded expectations in every way. He displayed potent three-point shooting range combined with some slick playmaking chops, almost singlehandedly saving the bench unit. No doubt, he established himself as a long-term piece of the puzzle for this Nuggets team.
Lack of a Backup Center Proved Costly
In my opinion, the two clear negatives from this season were the lack of a backup center coming into the year, as well as Michael Malone’s insistence on playing Facu Campazzo for as long as he did. In the 2021 playoffs, Malone opted to play Paul Millsap over JaVale McGee. Tim Connelly traded Isaiah Hartenstein, who had his ups and downs in Denver, before flourishing with the Clippers this year, and two second-round picks for JaVale McGee. This trade was, simply put, a waste of allocated assets.
It’s possible that looking at this scenario, Tim Connelly felt inclined to not sign a backup center coming into the season, due to Malone preferring a smaller lineup. The small ball backup frontcourt combination of Jeff Green and JaMychal Green proved to be untenable. To Connelly and Malone’s credit, signing and playing DeMarcus Cousins saved the Nuggets bench, and probably the season. Cousins provided an interior presence as a rebounder, while also providing solid inside-outside scoring. Despite the numerous injuries he’s suffered over the years, he looked the healthiest and most productive he’s been in quite some time.
The Facu Campazzo Conundrum
The Facu Campazzo situation was extremely arduous. After having a decent regular season the year prior, Campazzo was slated as the backup Point Guard coming into this season with Jamal Murray sidelined. Without being too harsh of a critic, he was arguably the worst rotation player in the league. Teams did not respect his jump shot or care to guard him at all. He was an anchor to every lineup that was deployed on the floor. He sunk the play of Austin Rivers and JaMychal Green in the early season.
Coach Malone used him in his rotation for the first 4 months of the season, which proved to be too long and cost the team multiple games. Bones Hyland taking over as the full-time backup changed the trajectory of the season. My biggest criticism of Malone is that his loyalty to his players on the court is his biggest strength, as well as his biggest weakness, as evidenced by both the Paul Millsap and Facu Campazzo situations. If the Campazzo adjustment to the bench was done sooner, would the Nuggets have been a higher seed in the standings? I think it’s fair to say that the answer is a resounding yes.
How do the Nuggets attack this offseason?
Without question, the absence of both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr derailed Denver’s championship and playoff aspirations this season. Those two players returning will give Jokic some much-needed assistance on the court. However, even with those two key players out, the team displayed glaring weaknesses in key areas. Perimeter defense is of the greatest need to address this offseason.
Perimeter Defense Needs an Upgrade
I can’t help but note that the composition of the team from the bubble run to now is completely different. The Nuggets used to have tall, athletic, and rangy perimeter defenders such as Gary Harris, Torrey Craig, Jerami Grant, and PJ Dozier. Now, the defense of some of those players may have been overstated, however, at the least, those players had a baseline of height and length to make it more difficult on the opposition. This year, Aaron Gordon and Austin Rivers were the only two capable perimeter defenders on the main roster.
Looking at the current assortment of guards: Monte Morris, Bones Hyland, Bryn Forbes, Facu Campazzo, and Markus Howard are all under 6'3. To begin with, those players are already at a disadvantage defensively. There is too much overlap in skillset and height. My biggest qualm about the PJ Dozier trade was that Bol Bol was a player that was never going to contribute to Denver’s success. On top of that, they traded an injured Dozier and a second-round pick for another undersized guard in Forbes. I was fine with trading PJ, moreover, the return did not address Denver’s biggest need for perimeter defense.
Draft and Free Agency Period is Vital
In my opinion, the upcoming draft and free agency period is arguably the most important of the Jokic era. The Nuggets are currently slotted at pick 21 in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft. Tim Connelly, for the most part, has always preferred the best player available over fit when making selections. I think that philosophy needs to be amended. Jokic is too good to be adding more developmental players to the roster.
To be completely transparent, I have been underwhelmed by Tim Connelly’s last two drafts, Bones Hyland selection excluded. As someone who studies the draft every year, I was a big proponent of picking Desmond Bane, but the team elected to pick Zeke Nnaji, who I still believe can carve out a rotation spot next season.
Connelly went from finding rotational gems on two-way contracts in Monte Morris, Torrey Craig, PJ Dozier, and Jarred Vanderbilt to players who are either out of the NBA or won’t be in it next season such as Markus Howard, Petr Cornelie, Greg Whittington, and Bol Bol. Older, more experienced, perimeter options such as Wendell Moore, Marjon Beauchamp, and Christian Braun can potentially be had with their selection. Ready-made contributors are a must add this offseason.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, I believe that the trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr is enough offense to carry the Nuggets to a potential championship. Denver needs to insulate those three with more perimeter defense consisting of height and length in the offseason, particularly players in the 6'4 to 6'8 range. I feel as though Denver has gotten away from that ideology the past two seasons. Tim Connelly needs to win on the margins again as he did so effortlessly in past years.
It is of grave importance that Denver pursues taller, defensive-minded guards and wings to fill out the roster. Jokic, Murray, Porter Jr, Gordon, and Hyland should be locks to return. I would put Morris close to that category. Retaining Austin Rivers and DeMarcus Cousins should be a priority for Denver as well. Will Barton’s fit and future on the roster look to be up in the air after a turbulent year. I would be shocked if Facu Campazzo and Bryn Forbes are brought back. Davon Reed looks to be in line to be added to the main roster. Will both of the Greens be back next year?
If winning a championship next year is indeed the goal, the perimeter defense needs to be addressed. Denver’s motto has been not to “skip steps,” a saying and mantra that has had great success in the Jokić era. But, sometimes, change is needed.
